Food is a determining factor for your pet's health. Choosing the best food for your dog is influenced by its size, the quality of its ingredients and, of course, the price. A recent report from the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has analyzed and compared 27 different feed brands, of which only two have nutritional deficiencies. On the other hand, the results conclude that choosing one feed or another can mean a difference in savings of up to 665 euros per year.
Unlike humans, dogs do not need a varied diet. Although brands usually offer feed with different flavor bases such as lamb, chicken or salmon, the ideal is to opt for a single product that satisfies all your nutritional needs. Ideally, dogs are fed the same food ('their' feed) every day, in the same place and at the same time. If it is necessary to change his feed for physiological reasons, allergies or to regulate his weight, you should begin to mix it little by little with what he normally consumes until completing a transition period.
Feed must contain sufficient amounts of energy, proteins, fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamins and mineral salts to feed your dog. However, the nutritional needs of each pet will depend on the breed, age, physical activity and the presence of pathologies. Regarding rations, for example, a 10 kilo dog under normal weight conditions (15-25% fat) will need between 140 and 190 grams per day to feed.
The results of the OCU comparator reveal that two feeds present notable nutritional deficiencies. On the one hand, Mercadona's Compy Supreme with chicken, fruit and vegetables has a significant deficit of fats, such as linoleic acid, which are essential to guarantee a correct caloric intake. On the other hand, Brekkis Delicious beef lacks methionine in its composition, a basic amino acid in the diet of dogs.
A good diet also has an impact on the health, shine and color of your dog's coat, thanks to essential oils such as omega 3 and 6. The quantity and quality of proteins have also been taken into account when perform this analysis, since the use of bone meal, cuts with collagen or too much vegetable protein is synonymous with lower quality. Furthermore, regarding vitamins and minerals, an important factor is the balance between phosphorus and calcium.
These are the feeds that the OCU has analyzed, ordered from lowest to highest price. Check if your dog's dog is on this list and if you have cheaper alternatives:
